Do you need a computer for Steam?
To answer the question directly, you don’t necessarily need a computer to play Steam games, as Steam Link allows you to play Steam games on mobile devices, TVs, or other PCs without the need for a traditional computer setup, but you will need a gaming PC or gaming laptop with a Steam account connected to the same network. The Steam Link app enables you to access and play games from your PC while on the go or on your couch, with touch control schemes optimized for hundreds of top titles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Steam without a computer?
Yes, you can play Steam games without a traditional computer setup, using Steam Link on your phone, tablet, TV, or other PC.
Can I get Steam on a monitor?
Yes, you can use a USB-C to HDMI adapter to connect your Steam Deck to a TV or monitor, just like any other console.
Can you play Steam games on a tablet?
Yes, the Steam Link app works with Apple devices running iPadOS 11 / iOS 11 or later, and Android devices on Android 5.0 and up, with a gaming PC or gaming laptop and WiFi with a minimum of 10Mbps internet speed.
What devices can run Steam games?
Computers running Steam, Windows 7 or newer, Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) or newer, SteamOS, or Linux Ubuntu 12.04 or newer can run Steam games.
How do I put Steam on my desktop?
To put Steam on your desktop, navigate to your Steam installation, right-click on steam.exe, select Create Shortcut, and then right-click on the new shortcut, go to Properties, and select the Shortcut tab.
Does Steam work on Windows?
Yes, Steam provides support for Windows, macOS, and Linux (SteamOS), and you can check platform usage stats from the Steam Hardware Survey.
Can my phone run Steam?
Yes, the Steam Link app on Android extends Steam Link functionality to many Android phones, tablets, and TVs, running Android 5.0 and newer.
What are the system requirements for Steam?
The system requirements for Steam include 512 MB RAM, a DirectX 9 compatible video card with at least 512MB of VRAM, DirectX Version 9.0, and 5 GB available space.
Can I play Steam without internet?
Yes, Offline Mode allows you to play games through Steam without an active connection to the Steam Network, but any Steam client feature that requires a connection will be unavailable while offline.
How do I play Steam games on two monitors?
To play Steam games on two monitors, go to your Library in Steam, right-click on the game title, select Properties, click Set Launch Options, and paste the line -popupwindow -screen-width 5760 -screen-height 1080 into the text box.
Will Steam download with monitor off?
Yes, Steam will continue to download a game even if the computer is locked, but the computer itself will remain powered on.
How do I make my monitor my main monitor?
To set the primary and secondary monitor, right-click on your desktop, select Display settings, click the numbered box you wish to be your main display, scroll to the bottom, and check the box that says Make this my main display.
Which game is free on Steam?
Some of the best free games on Steam include Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, War Thunder, Team Fortress 2, Lost Ark, Warframe, Marvel Snap, and Halo Infinite.
Is Steam not compatible with Windows 11?
No, Steam is compatible with Windows 11, and as long as you have a gaming PC or gaming laptop with a Steam account, you can play Steam games on Windows 11.
How long will Steam be around?
As long as Steam is making money, the servers will be up and available, and it’s unlikely that Steam will go away anytime soon.
Is Steam free to download?
Yes, Steam itself is free to use and free to download, and you only pay for the games you want to play, with many sales and discounts available on the platform.
How do you play games on Steam?
To play games on Steam, you can download the Steam Link app to your Android device, complete the setup, connect your PC to Steam Link, and pair your controller to your Android device with a cable or through Bluetooth.
How do I run Steam on Windows?
To install the Steam Desktop App, go to the Steam Website, click on Install Steam, and follow the installation instructions, then open the Steam app on your PC.
How do I know if my computer is compatible with Steam?
You can check each game’s system requirements and compatible operating systems on that game’s Steam Store page by scrolling down to its System Requirements section.
How much does Steam cost?
Steam is free to use, but you typically pay for the games you want to play, with many sales and discounts available on the platform.
Can anyone put a game on Steam?
As long as your game complies with the Steam Terms of Service, you can publish your game on Steam by creating an account and paying a one-time fee of US$100, which will be refunded if your game makes $1,000 in gross revenue from sales on the Steam store.
Can you play games on a monitor without a PC?
No, a computer monitor alone without any other devices plugged in cannot play games, but you can connect a gaming console or a computer to a monitor to play games.